The Black Hand (The Birth of the Mafia) (Italian: La mano nera) is a 1973 Italian crime film written and directed by Antonio Racioppi and starring Lionel Stander, Rosanna Fratello and Michele Placido.[2][3]
The Black Hand (The Birth of the Mafia) | |
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Directed by | Antonio Racioppi [it] |
Screenplay by |
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Story by | Carlo Infascelli[1] |
Produced by | Carlo Infascelli[1] |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Riccardo Pallottini[1] |
Edited by | Cleote Conversi[1] |
Music by | Carlo Rustichelli[1] |
Production company | In.Ci.S Film[1] |
Distributed by | Roma Film |
Release date |
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Running time | 90 minutes[1] |
Country | Italy[1] |
Language | Italian |
Box office | ₤230.363 million |
Italian-American cop Joe Petrosino infiltrates the Mafia in turn of the 20th century[year needed] New York.
Luigi Cozzi, one of the nine credited screenwriters on the film that producer Carlo Infascelli wanted to change the script depending on the actors demands.[1] For example, Cozzi claims that Infascelli had to change the film per Phillipe Leroy's request.[1] Cozzi noted that he was phoned by Infascelli and was told to change the scenes per Leroy's demands within 24 hours.[1] Cozzi noted he was often phoned and told to find reasons and ways things changed.[1]
The Black Hand was released in Italy on March 16, 1973 where it was distributed theatrically by Roma Film.[1] The film grossed 230.363 million Italian lira on its theatrical run.[1]
John Raisback of the Monthly Film Bulletin reviewed an 85-minute dubbed version of the film, finding it having a "rambling plot line" and that large portions of the dubbed dialogue were lifted straight from The Godfather.[4]
In 2017, Paramount announced that it has acquired the movie rights for an English language adaptation.[5] The new film, due for release in 2018, will star Leonardo DiCaprio as Joe, and will be partly based on Stephan Talty's upcoming novelization of Petrosino's assassination.[6]